Tree-lighting fixture



TREE LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Feb. 24, 1927 amen doc:-

' means.

Patented Mar. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES MICHAEL J. COURTNEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS TREE-LIGHTING FIXTURE Application filed February 24, 1927. Serial No. 170,685.

This invention relates to electrically-illuminated Christmas trees which are mounted in rotatable stands, and more particularly to the means for delivering the electric current to the tree for the operation of the lights, and my object is to provide a simple and efficient fixture for this purpose.

A further object of the invention is to deliver the electric current by way of a novel ring element, which is easily applied and adjustable.

A final but nevertheless important object of the invention is to construct the novel fixture inexpensively and in a manner to be easily understood and applied even by a nov- With the above objects in view and any others that may suggest themselves from the specification and claims to follow, a betterv understanding of the invention may be gained by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the novel fixture, showing its application; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of one unit thereof.

Referring specifically to the drawing, 5 represents the trunk of the tree as mounted in a base 6 which is rotatable by any suitable An accessory stand 7 is provided alongside the base 6 to receive low voltage house current from a suitable cord and plug inserted in a receptacle or socket 8; and the stand is of tubular construction for the passage of conductors 9 to a sufficient height 7 above the floor to connect with the fixture.

The fixture is composed of two similar units, each adapted to receive one of the con= cluctors 9. Each unit is composed mainly of a heavy metal ring 10 encircling the tree trunk and of sufficient diameter to'accommodate trunks of smaller or larger diameter within certain limits. The ring is made fast to the tree trunk by being equipped with three or more screws 11, which are threaded through the ring from different sides to bear against the trunk and support the ring at any chosen height.

Each ring 10 is cut with a wide annular groove 12 to seat an encircling metal strap 13. The ends of this strap are gathered and projected outwardly, as shown at 13*, and by being drawn up with a bolt and nut fastening 14 the strap is adjusted to a smooth, sliding fit about the ring 10. The extremity'of the projected portion carries a binding post 15 to which the conductor is attached. A conductor 16 leads upwardly from each of the rings 10 being fastenedto the latter by a screw 17 and serving to supply the wiring system along the tree branches. As trees for use indoors are dry on the surface, the ring units are insulated from each other by simply being spaced on the tree trunk 5, so that the units form separate electrical terminals without special insulation. However, if a high voltage current should be used, a wrapping of adhesive tape or other suitableinsulation may be applied to the trunk opposite one of the rings 10.

In operation, the tree and the rings 10 revolve, while the straps 13 are still and pass the current in them to the respective rings for the illumination of the tree. The straps form asimple means of loosely filling the ring grooves 12, in that they are easy to make, apply and adjust; and they require no machine work or other operations of an accurate character to construct or adapt them.

While the novel appliance is primarily de- 803 signed for useon Christmas trees, its use'may also extend to rotating poles designed to carry advertisements or articles on display.

I claim:

A device for supplying electric current to 853:

the lighting system of a Christmas tree having a rotatable supporting base, comprising a standard, current supply wires extending from the end of said standard, a pair of sepa-' rate rings adapted to enclose the tree trunk 9'0" and having clamping means adapted to locate the same at spaced points on the tree trunk, the latter serving to insulate the rings from one another, each of said ringshaving an exterior surface groove, a strap rotatably carried in each of said grooves and having laterally extending free ends, means including a binding post for maintaining contigu ous the free ends of each strap, said current carrying wires being connected to said re 10 speetive binding posts, meanscarried byeach ring for the attachment-of one line of the Christmas tree lighting system or circuit,

said standard serving through said current 5 carrying wires to hold said straps against ro V tation but being movable to Various positions circumferentially of, toward andavyay from the treei-as occasion may require. o o

In testimony whereof I afiiii my signaturei 10 MICHAEL J. COURTNEY: 

